Refiner disc assembly having improved distributor plate



p 21, 1965 A. J. HORSTMAN 3,207,450

REFINER DISC ASSEMBLY HAVING IMPROVED DISTRIBUTOR PLATE Filed June 1'7,1963 Byf w m F770 161W. y

United States Patent 3,207,450 REFINER DISC ASSEMBLY HAVING IMPROVEDDISTRIBUTOR PLATE Anton J. Horstman, Houghton, Mich., assignor to TheBauer Bros. Co., Springfield, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Filed June 17,1963, Ser. No. 288,149 5 Claims. (G. 241251) This invention relates todisc type pulp refiners and, more particularly, to improvements in theirdisc assemblies which render them more efficient and satisfactory inuse.

A primary object of the invention is to provide improvements in disctype refiner units rendering them economical to fabricate, moreefficient and satisfactory in use, adaptable to a wide variety ofapplications and unlikely to malfunction.

Another object of the invention is to provide means which facilitate thedistribution and flow of stock in a disc type refiner unit.

A further object of the invention is to provide a novel wear plate theuse of which improves the stock flow in a double disc refiner.

An additional object of the invention is to provide a double discrefiner the disc assemblies of which are so formed to inhibit a stagnantcollection of material therebetween at their centers.

A further object of the invention is to provide a double disc refinerincluding one disc having extended flow passages so formed for deliveryof stock to a position immediately adjacent the disc refining surfacesand means in connection with the other disc to afford a positivedispersalof stock between the disc refining surfaces on exit from saidflow passages.

A further object of the invention is to provide a disc refinerpossessing the advantageous structural features, the inherentmeritorious characteristics and the means and mode of operation hereindescribed.

' With the above and other incidental objects in view as will more fullyappear in the specification, the invention intended to be protected byLetters Patent consists of the features of construction, the parts andcombinations thereof, and the mode of operation as hereinafter describedor illustrated in the accompanying drawings, or their equivalents.

'Referring to the accompanying drawing wherein is shown one butobviously not necessarily the only form of embodiment of the invention,

FIG. 1 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of a double disc refiner inaccordance with the invention; and

FIG. 2 is a plan view of a replaceable wear plate which is incorporatedin the device of FIG. 1.

Like parts are indicated by similar characters of reference throughoutthe several views.

' The disc refiner shown in the drawings is detailed only to the extentnecessary for a full disclosure of the present invention. Asillustrated, it includes a housing having an opening to one side definedby a tubular projection 11. Bolted to the outer face of the projection11 is a feed spout 12 including a flow passage 13 which communicateswith the opening in the housing 10. The discharge end of the spout 12 isdefined by a short tubular extension 14 which nests in and in contactwith the tubular projection 11.

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Fixed within the projection 11, in end abutting relation to theextension 14, is a ring element 15. Positioned in the housing 10 inadjacent relation to the opening defined by the projection 11 is an opendisc 16. The disc 16 mounts on one end of a drive shaft 17 which extendsthrough the projection 11 and an opening in one side of the spout 12which leads thereto.

The disc 16 includes fiow passages 18 which relatively diverge fromtheir entrance ends which are adjacent and spaced from the ring 15.Fixed to the rear face of the disc 16 through the medium of an externalfiange 19 is a ring element 20. The ring 20 rims the entrance ends ofthe flow passages 18 and projects to concentrically nest in and bear onthe inner peripheral surface of the ring 15. A ring seal 21 nests in theouter peripheral wall of the ring 20 to relatively project and contactthe inner periphery of the ring 15 thereabout and form a sealtherebetween.

As thus related, the rings 15 and 20 form a bridging flow passage whichinterconnects the flow passage 13 in the spout 12 and the divergent flowpassages 18 in the disc 16.

At the operating face of the disc 16, which is innermost with referenceto housing 10, the hub portion of the disc, which includes the flowpassages 18, is rimmed by an annular recess 22 the outer limit of whichlies immediately within the outer periphery of the disc. Nested in andrelatively projected from the recess 22 is a series of identicallyformed refiner plates 23. The refiner plates 23 mount in adjacent endabutting relation to form a ring which encircles the hub portion of thedisc 16. Plates 23 provide a projected refining surface having a profilethe inner peripheral portion 24 of which inclines outwardly of the discin a long gradual slope from its hub portion. The outer peripheralportion 25 of this profile forms a continuation of the slope of theportion 24, but at a much lesser angle so as to approach a flat.

At the operating face of the disc 16 its hub portion which isperipherally bounded by the refiner plates 23 includes a portion 26which relatively projects in the form of a conical section. Theprojected extremity of the section 26 lies in a plane adjacent butspaced beyond that achieved by the refining surfaces of plates 23.

At its side opposite the projection 11 and coaxial therewith, thehousing 10 has a further opening defined in its wall structure by abearing unit 27. The unit 27 rotatably accommodates a drive shaft 28 oneend of which terminates in the housing 10 in adjacent spaced relation toand coaxial with the shaft 17. The end of the shaft 28 in the housing 10mounts a closed disc 29 positioned directly opposite and in adjacentspaced relation to the disc 16. The face of the disc 29 adjacent thedisc 16 includes a recess 22 to seat a ring of refiner plates 23'identical with, directly opposite and adjacent the refiner plates 23 onthe disc 16.

Thus, the respective series of plates 23 and 23' on the discs 16 and 29provide directly opposed and immediately adjacent annular refiningsurfaces. The inner peripheral portions 24 of these refining surfacescooperate to define a convergent entrance throat 30 which facilitatesthe entrance and flow of stock therebetween in a manner to be described.

The central portion of the operating face of the disc 29 positionedimmediately opposite the conically projecting section 26 on the disc 16is recessed to seat a disc shaped wear plate 32. The wear plate 32 is areplaceable distributor device which is releasably connected to theplate 29.

The outer face 33 of the plate 32 is dished to its center. Its sideshave a uniform slope to afford a direct flow path from its center to theentrance throat 30 defined by the refiner plates 23 and 23' which arepositioned immediately thereabout. Radially coextensive with the, face33 are relatively projected ribs 34, spaced 90 degrees apart. Theprojected surfaces 35 of the ribs 34 have a uniform gradual outwardslope from the center of the dished surface 33 to a point 36 adjacent acircle which rims the interior surfaces of the discharge ends of theflow passages 18 in the disc 16. From this point the ribs 34 have theiroutermost surfaces inclined to lie in a plane adjacent and generallyparallel to the conical surface of the projection 26 on the disc 16which includes the discharge ends of the flow passages 18. Thus theouter peripheral portions of the ribs 34 lie adjacent and opposite thedischarge ends of the flow passages 18 and are angled in the directionof an intermediate point on the surfaces 24 of the refiner plates 23 onthe disc 16.

It is to be noted that the protruding hub portion 26 on the disc 16affords an extension of the divergent flow paths defined by the passages18 to an area immediately adjacent the refiner plates 23' on the disc 29and thereby to the immediate vicinity of the entrance to the throat 30.Also, material which exits from the flow passages 18 discharges in thedirect path of the adjacent radially projected extremities of the ribs34 of the plate 32.

Suitable means conventionally conect to the shafts 17 and 28 to enabletheir relative rotation in opposite directions and the relative rotationtherewith of the refining surfaces formed on the discs 16 and 29. Asthese drive means are energized, stock may be delivered through thepassage 13 of the spout 12 to flow through the bridging flow passagedefined by the ring elements 15 and 20 and then through the rotatingdisc 16 through the medium of the divergent flow passages 18. As thestock exits from the flow passages 18 at the entrance to the throat.

30, it discharges on the outer peripheral portion of the face 33 of therelatively rotating plate 32. This discharge is in the direct path ofthe radially projected extremities of ribs 34, the surfaces 35 of whichswing past the discharge ends of the passages 18 in a plane immediatelyadjacent thereto. Therefore, the radially projected extremities of ribs34 intercept and almost instantaneously sling the discharged stock intothe immediately adjacent entrance to the throat 30. The force and natureof this of this interception and the appropriate orientation of thestock on discharge due to the extension of the flowv passages 18 is suchto provide a uniform dispersion of the stock as it is caused thereby tomove to and between the opposed refining surfaces on the relativelyadjacent discs.

Thus, the configuration of the protruding portion 26 of the hub of thedisc 16 in conjunction with the ,character of the ribs on the wear plate32 enables a most uniform and continuous dispersion of the stockdischarged from the flow passages 18. This insures a generally uniformload on the operating components of the disc assembly above described.

In the event portions of the stock discharged from the passages 18should move inwardly between the disc assemblies to the vicinity of thecenter of the wear plate 32 and the relatively adjacent protrudingsurface of the projection 26, the fact that the ribs 34 are radiallycoextensive with the wear plate in conjunction with the fact the wearplate is dished, enables the ribs 34 to pick up the stock which flowsinwardly thereof and fling it outwardly into the refining throat 30 in amanner believed obvious. Accordingly, not only is there a generallyuniform dispersion of stock in accordance with the features of theinvention, but there are means which positively inhibit an accumulationof stock between the centers of the disc assemblies which mightordinarily interfere with the facility of their operation.

Thus, the present invention provides means which facilitate the deliveryand dispersal of stock in a disc refiner. The movement of stock ispositive in all aspects of its flow. Moreover, the use of a dished wearplate including radially co-extensive ribs to insure a proper dispersalof stock, which plate is readily replaceable, enables maintenance costsfor a disc refiner to be held to a minimum.

Therefore, the invention provides a more economical and effective flowof stock in a disc refiner which enables a more eflicient and economicalrefiner operation. As is evident, with the uniform and smooth flow'ofstock occasioned by the improvements of the invention, there is lessload imposed on the attendant structure and operating components andpower demand is held to a minimum.

From the above description it will be apparent that there is thusprovided a device of the character described possessing the particularfeatures of advantage before enumerated as desirable, but whichobviously is susceptible of modification in its form, proportions,detail construction and arrangement of parts without departing from theprinciple involved or sacrificing any of its advantages.

While in order to comply with the statute the invention has beendescribed in language more or less specific as to structural features,itis to be understood that the invention is not limited to the specificfeatures shown, but that the means and construction herein disclosedcomprise but one of several modes of putting the invention into effect,and the invention is therefore claimed in any of its forms ormodifications within the legitimate and valid scope of the appendedclaims.

Having thus described my invention, I claim:

1. Apulp refiner unit wherein first and second opposed spaced discs aresecured at their hub to respective oppositely projecting relativelyrotatable shafts, with said first disc having at least one materialpassing through opening located in a circumferential area near its hubto admit material for refining to the space between said discs, saiddiscs having opposing inner faces defining said space; characterized bya wear plate seated to the inner face of said second disc in alignedsuperposed relation to the end of the shaft to which said second disc issecured, said plate having radial ribs each having a first portion ofrelatively long and gradual slope from the mid area of the plate outwardand a second portion of shorter relatively steeper slope from the outerend of said first portion to the periphery of the plate, said secondportion being disposed to move in response to rotation of said seconddisc in a path in concentric aligned relation to the saidcircumferential area of said first. disc in which said material passingopening appears, said first portion terminating adjacent to the innerperiphery of said area.

2. A pulp refiner according to claim 1, further characterized in thatsaid inner face of said second disc is formed with a flat planar surfaceseating said wear plate, said plate having on one side thereofacomplementary surface and on the other side a concave surface, saidribs being, on said concave surface, the said first portions of saidribs approximately paralleling said concave surface and said secondportions of said ribs diverging therefrom.

3. A pulp refiner according to claim 1, further characterized in thatsaid second portion of each rib is sulficiently long to extendtransversely across more than half of said circumferential area.

4. A pulp refiner unit wherein first and second relatively opposedspaced discs, are secured .at their hubs to respective oppositelyprojecting relatively rotatable shafts, with said first disc having atleast one material passing opening located in a circumferential areanear its hub to admit material for refining to the space between said(H. 0 aid d scs having opposing inner faces defining said space;characterized by a wear plate mounted to the inner face of said seconddisc centrally thereof, said plate being continuous across the axis ofthe said shaft to which said second disc is secured and extending at itsperiphery substantially to a location aligned with the outer peripheraledge of said circumferential area, said plate having ribs exposed tosaid first disc extending transversely across said plate, each ribhaving a first portion extending from mid area of the plate to alocation aligned with the inne peripheral edge of said circumferentialarea and a second portion inclined relatively to the first portionextending from the outer terminus of said first portion to the peripheryof said plate.

5. A pulp refiner unit according to claim 4, further characterized inthat said second portions of said ribs extend in respective longitudinalplanes perpendicular to the axis of said material passing opening insaid first disc, said opening being in a divergent relation to the axisof said shaft to which said first disc is secured.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS J. SPENCEROVERHOLSER, Primary Examiner.

1. A PULP REFINER UNIT WHEREIN FIRST AND SECOND OPPOSED SPACED DISCS ARESECURED AT THEIR HUB TO RESPECTIVE OPPOSITELY PROJECTING RELATIVELYROTATABLE SHAFTS, WITH SAID FIRST DISC HAVING AT LEAST ONE MATERIALPASSING THROUGH OPENING LOCATED IN A CIRCUMFERENTIAL AREA NEAR ITS HUBTO ADMIT MATERIAL FOR REFINING TO THE SPACE BETWEEN SAID DISCS, SAIDDISCS HAVING OPPOSING INNER FACES DEFINING SAID SPACE; CHARACTERIZED BYA WEAR PLATE SEATED TO THE INNER FACE OF SAID SECOND DISC IN ALIGNEDSUPERPOSED RELATION TO THE END OF THE SHAFT TO WHICH SAID SECOND DISC ISSECURED, SAID PLATE HAVING RADIAL RIBS EACH HAVING A FIRST PORTION OFRELATIVELY LONG AND GRADUAL SLOPE FROM THE MID AREA OF THE PLATE OUTWARDAND A SECOND PORTION OF SHORTER RELATIVELY STEEPER SLOPE FROM THE OUTEREND OF SAID FIRST PORTION OF THE PERIPHERY OF THE PLATE, SAID SECONDPORTION BEING DISPOSED TO MOVE IN RESPONSE TO ROTATION OF SAID SECONDDISC IN A PATH IN CONCENTRIC ALIGNED RELATION TO THE SAIDCIRCUMFERENTIAL AREA OF SAID FIRST DISCIN WHICH SAID MATERIAL PASSINGOPENING APPEARS, SAID FIRST PORTION TERMINATING ADJACENT TO THE INNERPERIPHERY OF SAID AREA.